William Weber Lecture Series

William Weber

The William Weber Lectures in Government and Society were founded by Bill Weber, a 1939 graduate of Kalamazoo College. In addition to this lectureship, William Weber has founded the William Weber Chair in Political Science at the College.

The College is sad to note the passing of Bill Weber in June 2012.

2024 Guest Lecturer

Tom Ginsburg

Leo Spitz Professor of Law, University of Chicago

Tom Ginsburg is the Leo Spitz Distinguished Service Professor of International Law at the University of Chicago, where he serves as a Faculty Director for the Forum on Free Inquiry and Expression, as well as the Malyi Center for the Study of Institutional and Legal Integrity. 

Surviving the Crises of Constitutional Democracy in the United States: Lessons from Abroad Many Americans have the sense that democracy in the United States is in grave danger. Polarization is at a high, while trust in institutions is in decline. We are not alone in this regard, as other constitutional democracies around the world are suffering from similar crises of both performance and confidence. What are the sources of institutional decay and how might they be reversed? This lecture will address these questions from a comparative constitutional perspective, arguing that our venerable constitution is showing its age. Our task is to grasp the few resources it offers us for democratic renewal, and to utilize them.

Past Lecturers

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, K’99

2022

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, K’99, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan
“The Future of Public Health: Regaining Public Trust”

Joe Soss
Joe Soss

2019

Dr. Joe Soss
“Preying on the Poor: Criminal Justice as Revenue Racket”

DeRay Mckesson
DeRay McKesson

2018

DeRay Mckesson, Civil Rights Activist
“On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope”

Sasha Issenberg
Sasha Issenberg

2016

Sasha Issenberg, Political Correspondent and American Journalist
“The Victory Lab 2016: A Report from the Campaign Trail”

Martin Gilens
Martin Gilens

2015

Martin Gilens, Professor of Politics
“Economic Inequality & Political Power In America”

Gerald E. Rosen
Gerald E. Rosen

2015

Gerald E. Rosen, Chief U.S District Judge
“Detroit Bankruptcy: Lessons Learned”

Jacqueline Stevens
Jacqueline Stevens

2013

Jacqueline Stevens, Professor of Political Science
“Government Illegals: Deportation and the Rule of Law”

Joan Mandle
Joan Mandle

2012

Dr. Joan Mandle
“Who Owns Democracy”

Van Jones
Van Jones

2011

Mr. Van Jones

“Rebuild The Dream: The Next American Economy”

Justin Brooks
Justin Brooks

2010

Mr. Justin Brooks
Freeing the Innocent: Overcoming Constitutional Procedural and Practical Barriers”

Mickey Edwards
Mickey Edwards

2009

Mr. Mickey Edwards

“It’s the 21st Century: Does the Constitution still matter?”

“Do the People Still Govern?”

Tamara Draut
Tamara Draut

2008

Ms. Tamara Draut
Falling Behind: The Economic Challenges Confronting  a New Generation”

Strapped: Why It’s Harder than Ever to Get Ahead, and What You Can Do about It”

Spencer Overton
Spencer Overton

2007

Professor  Spencer Overton

“Stealing Democracy: the New Politics of Voter Suppression”

“Being a Political Animal at K: How to Stay Involved Beyond the Bubble”

Miles Rapoport
Miles Rapoport

2006

Mr. Miles Rapoport


“The Challenge to our Social Cond and our Democracy: What We Can Do to Rescue Both, and How Tuesday’s Results Impact our Prospects for Success “

From Both Sides Now: Working for Social Change as an Advocate, A Politician, and Back”

Frances Fox Piven
Frances Fox Piven

2005

Dr. Frances Fox Piven

Disruption and Democracy: Lessons from American History

Whatever Happened to the American New Deal?


Weber Lecture Speakers Prior to 2005

2004 – Mr. Benjamin Ginsberg. Lecture I – Elections and Presidential Power. Lecture II – Downsizing Democracy

2003 – Larry Rasmussen. Lecture I – An Axial Moment. Lecture II – Religion’s Responses

2002 – John Esposito. Lecture I – Islam, U.S. Foreign Policy, and War on Terrorism. Lecture II – The Many Faces of Islam

2001 – Charles Curran. Lecture – Terrorism and Christian Ethics

2000 – Ernesto Cortes, Jr. Lecture – The Importance of Politics and Why We Don’t Do It Anymore

1999 – William Greider. Lecture – “ Moral Dilemmas of the Global Economy”

1998 – Edward Cabot. Lecture –  “Do Citizen Matter?”

1997 – Ronald Thiemann. Lecture –  “Religion in Public Life: A Dilemma for Democracy”

1996 – Jean Bethke Elshtain. Lecture –  “Ethics and Public Life”

1995 – John Judis. Lecture – “American Politics on the Eve of the Millennium,I”

1994 – John Cobb. Lecture – “When Economic Growth Must End: What Next?”

1993 – E.J. Dionne Jr. Lecture – “Why Americans Hate Politics”

1992 – Frances Moore Lappe Lecture – “Citizen Politics and the Future of Democracy”

1991 – Thomas Edsall. Lecture –  “Race, Rights, Values and American Politics”

1990 – David Broder. Lecture –  “Democracy Derailed”

1989 – Michael McPherson. Lecture – “Distinctive Justice and Higher Education”

1988 – Russell Kirk. Lecture – “The Rights of Man vs. The Bill of Rights”

1987 – G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams. Lecture – ( No Title) 1st William Weber Lecture